What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Los Angeles

A hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles can leave you shaken, confused, and unsure of your next move. One moment you have a license plate to exchange, and the next, the other driver is gone. In Los Angeles County, where traffic volume is among the highest in the nation, hit-and-run incidents are disturbingly common. Knowing exactly what to do in the minutes and hours after a hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles can mean the difference between recovering full compensation and being left with nothing.

This guide walks you through every step: protecting yourself at the scene, filing the right police report, understanding California’s hit-and-run laws, and using your own insurance to cover losses when the at-fault driver disappears.

Step 1: Stay Safe and Assess Injuries

Your safety comes first. If your vehicle is drivable, pull to the shoulder or a safe area away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries, even if you feel completely fine. Adrenaline masks pain. Symptoms of whiplash, soft-tissue injuries, and concussion can take hours or days to surface.

Call 911 immediately. Request both police and medical assistance. Do not refuse an ambulance or delay treatment. Early medical documentation is critical evidence for any future injury claim, and a gap between the accident and your first doctor visit is one of the first things insurance adjusters will use against you.

If you cannot move safely, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on and your hazard lights activated until emergency services arrive.

Step 2: Document the Scene Thoroughly

Evidence disappears fast after a hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles. Use your phone to capture everything you can before leaving the scene:

• The other vehicle: License plate (full or partial), make, model, color, and any distinctive features such as a dent, decal, commercial logo, or missing bumper
• Your vehicle: All points of impact, paint transfer, glass, and debris
• The scene: Skid marks, road conditions, traffic signals, and nearby businesses and signs
• Your injuries: Photograph visible injuries immediately. Bruising and swelling evolve over the next 48 hours, so photograph again daily in the days that follow

Note the exact time, date, and location. Write down everything you remember about the other vehicle and driver before details fade. Even a partial plate or a physical description of the driver can help LAPD identify the vehicle through traffic camera footage and automated license plate reader data.

Step 3: Gather Witness Information

Witnesses are invaluable in hit-and-run cases. Other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, or nearby business employees may have seen the collision or captured it on a dashcam or security camera. Before leaving the scene:

• Approach any bystanders and ask if they witnessed the accident
• Collect full names and phone numbers for anyone willing to provide them
• Ask nearby businesses (gas stations, restaurants, parking structures) whether their security cameras cover the area
• Look for red-light cameras or traffic enforcement cameras mounted on signal poles, and note those intersections so law enforcement can request footage

Witness accounts and third-party camera footage are often the keys to identifying the fleeing driver. An experienced attorney can send evidence preservation letters to businesses before footage is overwritten, which typically happens within 24 to 72 hours.

Step 4: Report to LAPD or CHP

California law requires that you report any accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to law enforcement within 24 hours. For a hit-and-run in Los Angeles, call LAPD (or CHP if the accident occurred on a freeway) and file a report at the scene or at the nearest station as soon as possible.

Request a copy of the incident report number. Your insurance company and any personal injury claim will require it. The report also initiates an official investigation that can lead to the at-fault driver being identified, arrested, and charged under California’s Vehicle Code.

Do not assume that because the other driver fled, there is nothing the police can do. LAPD has dedicated hit-and-run units that work with traffic camera networks, automated plate readers, and informant tips to solve these cases.

Step 5: Seek Medical Attention Even If You Feel Fine

Visit an emergency room, urgent care center, or your primary care physician within 24 hours of the accident, and sooner if you have any pain, dizziness, or discomfort. Many serious injuries present subtly at first:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can appear as mild headaches or unusual fatigue in the first hours
• Spinal injuries may cause delayed numbness or weakness in the arms and legs
• Internal injuries may not produce visible bruising until hours later

A documented chain of medical care, starting from the day of the accident, is one of the most important factors in valuing your personal injury claim. Gaps in treatment give insurance adjusters grounds to argue your injuries were not accident-related. For serious injuries, see our guide on spinal cord injuries after California car accidents to understand your long-term options.

What Are California’s Hit-and-Run Laws?

California law requires every driver involved in an accident to stop, identify themselves, and provide reasonable assistance. Leaving the scene is a crime under the California Vehicle Code, with penalties ranging from misdemeanor charges for property-damage-only incidents to felony prosecution when someone is injured or killed. Knowing these statutes matters for your injury claim and for understanding the at-fault driver’s criminal exposure.

Vehicle Code 20002: Misdemeanor Hit and Run

Under California Vehicle Code 20002, a driver who flees the scene of an accident involving only property damage (no injuries) commits a misdemeanor. Penalties can include up to six months in county jail, fines up to $1,000, and a negative mark on the driver’s record.

Vehicle Code 20001: Felony Hit and Run

When an accident results in injury or death, fleeing the scene becomes a felony under California Vehicle Code 20001. A felony hit-and-run conviction carries penalties of up to four years in state prison, fines up to $10,000, and a permanent criminal record. If the victim died or suffered permanent, serious injury, sentences can be enhanced further under aggravated provisions.

A criminal conviction of the at-fault driver can directly strengthen your civil injury claim and, in some cases, support a claim for punitive damages beyond your actual economic losses.

Statute of Limitations

California generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Exceptions exist: if a government vehicle was involved, you may have as little as six months to file a government tort claim. Do not delay in consulting an attorney, as missing the deadline permanently bars your claim.

How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work After a Hit-and-Run?

If the driver who hit you is never identified, you may still recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. California law requires all auto insurers to offer UM coverage, and if you have it, your own policy can pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering when the at-fault driver cannot be found. The key requirement in California hit-and-run cases is that there must be physical contact between the fleeing vehicle and your car.

One of the most common questions after a hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles is whether any compensation is available if the driver is never found. The answer is yes, provided you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your auto policy.

California law requires insurers to offer UM coverage, though drivers can waive it in writing. If you have UM coverage, it applies when:

• The at-fault driver cannot be identified (the classic hit-and-run scenario)
• The driver is identified but carries no insurance
• The driver’s policy limits are insufficient to cover your damages

UM coverage can compensate you for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages, up to your policy limits. However, UM claims involve their own deadlines and procedures, and insurers do not always pay what you are owed. An attorney experienced with uninsured and underinsured motorist claims in California can negotiate with your insurer to maximize your recovery.

One critical detail: California typically requires physical contact between the fleeing vehicle and your vehicle to trigger UM coverage in a hit-and-run. A “phantom vehicle” that forced you off the road without making contact may trigger different coverage rules, which is another reason to speak with a lawyer before filing any claim.

Step 6: Notify Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurer as soon as possible to report the hit-and-run, even if you plan to file a UM claim. Most policies require prompt notification as a condition of coverage. Provide the police report number, photos, and any witness information you gathered at the scene.

Be factual and concise when speaking with your adjuster. Avoid speculating about fault or minimizing your injuries at this stage. If you are represented by an attorney, direct the insurer to communicate through counsel. This prevents adjusters from making recorded statements part of the file in ways that could hurt your claim later.

Step 7: Contact a Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Lawyer

Hit-and-run cases are complex. Identifying the fleeing driver, preserving camera evidence before it is deleted, navigating UM coverage disputes with your own insurer, and calculating the full value of your injuries all require legal expertise that most accident victims do not have. An attorney can:

• Send evidence preservation demands to businesses and traffic agencies within days of the accident
• Coordinate with law enforcement and private investigators to identify the at-fault driver
• Handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf
• Retain medical experts to document the full extent and long-term impact of your injuries
• Negotiate aggressively for a settlement that reflects your actual damages, or take your case to trial if insurers refuse to pay fairly

At DC Law Group, Managing Attorney David Cohan has handled hit-and-run and uninsured motorist cases throughout Los Angeles County. Recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2025-2026, an honor awarded to just 2.5% of California attorneys, David personally manages every case. There are no junior associates handling your file and no being passed between departments. You work directly with the attorney fighting for your recovery.

DC Law Group operates on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win. We also offer a 24-hour cash advance program to help clients cover medical bills and living expenses while their case is pending. And if you cannot come to us, we come to you.

To learn more about how we handle accident cases across Los Angeles, visit our practice page or contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions: Hit-and-Run Accidents in Los Angeles

What if the hit-and-run driver is never found?

You may still recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage, provided you have it and there was physical contact with the fleeing vehicle. Your attorney can help you pursue the maximum available recovery under your policy limits.

Should I hire a lawyer even if my injuries seem minor?

Yes. Minor-seeming injuries such as whiplash, soft tissue strains, and concussions can worsen significantly over days and weeks, leading to substantial medical costs. A lawyer ensures your rights are protected before you unknowingly accept a settlement that does not cover future treatment.

How soon do I need to contact a lawyer?

The sooner the better. Evidence disappears quickly: business security footage is often overwritten in 24 to 72 hours, witness memories fade, and UM insurance deadlines are strict. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after receiving medical care.

Can I sue the hit-and-run driver if they are identified later?

Yes. If law enforcement identifies the at-fault driver, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit against them for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more, within California’s two-year statute of limitations.